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Josh Ravin suspended 80 games

Jill Weisleder/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Dodgers reliever Josh Ravin, who has been on the 60-day disabled list this year as a result of breaking his left forearm in a car accident during Spring Training, has received an 80-game suspension without pay for a violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball has announced.

“We are disappointed to hear that Josh has violated Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program,” the Dodgers said in a statement. “The Dodgers fully support MLB’s policy toward eliminating performance enhancing substances from the sport and, as per the Joint Drug Program, we will have no further comment on this suspension.”

He issued a statement via the Major League Baseball Players Association.

“During 2016 Spring Training, I came down with a severe case of intestinal flu and strep throat,” Ravin said. “I was put on antibiotics and lost a total of 20 pounds in less than seven days. To try and speed up my recovery, I took some supplements that I thought would help. Unfortunately, I was not as careful as I should have been, and one of the supplements contained a banned substance.

“I later learned that the substance showed up in a regular drug test done of me during 2016 Spring Training. This has been a very painful lesson for me. I have always tried to avoid doing anything in violation of the system, and I take full responsibility for the consequences of my actions and my bad judgment. So, I have decided to accept the suspension and continue my ultimate goal to be able to pitch again in the Major Leagues.”

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7 Comments

How does that work Jon? Since he’s on the 60 day DL, and 30+ of those have already gone, and he probably won’t be in playing shape for at least another 30-45, he really only needs to sit out about half more of the suspension to reach 80 games? I realize he won’t get paid and that what really hurts him. Somewhat bogus that he spends half his suspension he would have already on the DL.

I’m having more trouble having sympathy each time someone else gets busted for this. I assume there’s a list of banned substances, and I’d be surprised to learn the league doesn’t make a point of making sure everyone under contract to an MLB and MiLB team doesn’t get a copy of it at the start of every year, or when it comes time to sign a contract, as is fitting. How hard is it to check the ingredients of something you want to take against the list of banned substances? (I’m guessing it’s alphabetized to make it easier to search.) If you don’t do that, for whatever reason, I’m sorry but that’s on you. The league has taken too many steps to get PEDs out of the league for someone to say, “I didn’t know.”

And I’m sorry, Dee Gordon, I love you to death and wish you were still in Dodger Blue (at least I did before that bush league stunt that provokes a balk), but you screwed up, and I’m not letting you off the hook that easily. And I still considered getting a jersey with #9 on it because that was your number. Not anymore.

Seeing as how the wrong nasal spray can lead to a positive PED urine test, I’d say the drug laws in MLB are over the top and ridiculous. I don’t think Dee Gordon was “cheating” nor do I see Barry Bonds’ home run record as tainted. I happen to think the arm guard had more to do with Bonds’ home runs than his Cream and Clear because the arm guard let him stretch out over the plate.

And I hated Barry when he played. Despised the man. But it takes a God gifted body (larger lung capacity, for example) and highly developed skills (usually) to be a major league ballplayer, not the right kind of chemical compound.

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